LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1979, Page 119

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IR EI RS ARERR M ENTREE RES

RESOLUTIONS 119

possible, and that all pastors be urged to share this
study with their congregations; and be it further

Resolved, That this completed study be offered to the
representatives of the ALC and that they be asked to
share this information with the pastors and congre-
gations of the ALC; and be it further

Resolved, That the LCMS commissioners distribute
to the Synod in the coming biennium a clear and
documented statement on the existing areas of doc-
trinal disagreement between the two church bodies and
that the ALC be encouraged to share this information
with their membership also; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod reconsider its relationship
to the ALC in the 1981 convention, mindful that “fel-
lowship in protest,” though not tantamount to the
breaking of fellowship, does carry the clear implication
that if the circumstances that called forth the protest
are not corrected in due time, the protest will and must
lead to the severance of fellowship relations; and be it
finally

Resolved, That the Synod, in acting on this matter,
join in prayer for the blessings of our gracious Father
through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and in the name
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on all our relation-
ships with fellow Christians around the world and
especially with those in the Lutheran family of believers.

Action: Adopted (7).

(This resolution was discussed already in Session 4. The
delegates declined to consider a substitute resolution that
called for the deletion of the two paragraphs preceding the first
whereas and of the second-last resolved and for the following to
be substituted for the first resolve: “Resolved, That the LCMS
suspend fellowship with the ALC at the present time for the
above-mentioned doctrinal reasons.” A call for the question
was voted down. Discussion was resumed in Session 7. The
convention declined to consider a substitute resolution that
would have removed Res. 3-03 from consideration at this
convention and would have directed Committee 3 to propose a
resolution either favoring or opposing fellowship with the
ALC. Another substitute resolution was declared out of order
since it proposed, in effect, suspension of fellowship, an action
which had been previously rejected. This ruling of the chair
was sustained. When a delegate who had voted on the pre-
vailing side regarding suspension moved reconsideration, the
delegates declined to reconsider, 352 to 632. An automatic call
of the question after 30 minutes of debate was successful, and
the resolution was adopted 861 to 147.)

To Celebrate 400th Anniversary
of Book of Concord
and 450th Anniversary
of Augsburg Confession

RESOLUTION 3-04
Report 3-01, App. 3-01F (CW, p. 88)

WHEREAS, The Synod is preparing to remember with
thanksgiving the 400th anniversary of The Book of
Concord, as well as the 450th anniversary of the
Augsburg Confession; therefore be it

Resolved, That we urge celebration of this historic
occasion on the congregational, Circuit, District, and
synodical levels; and be it further

Resolved, That our partner churches be invited to
join the Synod’s observance of this special event in our
history as Lutheran Christians; and be it finally

Resolved, That the congregations of the Synod be
encouraged to give special attention to the ongoing
education of their members in the content of the confes-
sional writings, to their use as tools for a Scriptural
witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ to people every-
where, and to their value as a resource for daily
Christian discipleship.

Action: Adopted (7).

(An amendment calling on Lutherans other than partner
churches to join in the celebration was declined.)

To Encourage Lutheran Church—
Canada to Proceed with the Formation
of an Indigenous Lutheran Church—
Canada

RESOLUTION 3-05

Reports 3-07—3-08 (CW, pp. 93—94); Overtures
3-51 A—C (CW, p. 105)

WHEREAS, The report of the Task Force of Lutheran
Church—Canada (the Alberta and British Columbia,
Manitoba and Saskatchewan, and Ontario Districts,
along with the Canadian portions of the SELC, English,
and Minnesota North Districts) indicates that thereisa
strong support for the formation of a self-governing,
indigenous Lutheran Church—Canada; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod encourage Lutheran Church—Canada to proceed
with the formation of a self-governing, indigenous
Lutheran Church—Canada according to the procedures
adopted by the Lutheran Church—Canada.

Action: Adopted (7).

To Establish
St. Catharines Extension
as Separate Canadian Seminary

RESOLUTION 3-06A
Overture 3-52 (CW, p. 106)

WHEREAS, The original concerns of the Task Force
on Higher Education (1975 Convention Workbook) for
the establishing of a seminary extension at St.
Catharines were met with Res. 6-08A, 9 (Anaheim
convention); and

WHEREAS, This extension has shown good growth
during its years of operation; and

WHEREAS, Itis now evident that the Ontario District
and others in eastern Canada prefer an autonomous
seminary of their own; and

WHEREAS, The problems involved with record-
keeping, relative fiscal responsibilities and accounting
procedures, monetary exchange rates, and staffing
concerns have now become evident; and